Surgical instrument



Aug. 26 1924.

. J. L. STEVENS SURGICAL INSTRUMENT 1921 2 Sheets-Shut 1 Filed Aug. 15

Filed Aug: 15

1921 2 Sheets-Shoat. 2

gvwe'ntoz JZ, Sim/ems Patented Aug.- 26, 192

PATENT FFICLE.

JOSEPH L, STEVENS, OF STOCKTGN, KANSAS.

SURGICAL INSTRUIHENT.

Application filed August 15, 1921.-

To all whom may concern.

it known that I, JOSEPH L. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stockton, in the county of Books and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Surgical Instrument; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of the invention is to provide a surgical instrument for use particularly in perineal operations, as ameans of maintaining the required dilation of the parts for the convenience of the operator without requiring the assistance of an attendant as is ordinarily required in such conditions and in performing operations of this character; and furthermore to provide an instrument for the purpose indicated which is capable of ready adaptation to patients of different measurements and formations involving more or less individual peculiarities; and with these objects in view the invention consists in a construction, combina- 'tion and relation of parts of which a pre ferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front view of the instru ment arranged in the operative position, the outline of the body being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a side or edge view of the same.

Figure 3 is a rear view showing the dilatinn" forceps n the closed position.

Figure. 4. is a detail view of the fulcrum or hearing plate or member detached.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the locking means for securing the forceps members in the dilating position.

The apparatus consists essentially of a lever plate 10 carrying a bearing or fulcrum plate or member 11. adapted to bear on the pubic bone and also at one terminal carrying the pivotal members 12 and 13 of a pair of dilating forceps of which the handle portions are connected by a locking means for retaining the forceps members in their dilating position.

The instrument is used in association with an abdominal belt 14, carrying a tongue 15 serving as the means of applying pres- Serial No. 492,285.

sure to the end of the lever plate 10 which is remote from that upon which the memhers of the dilating forceps are mounted, said lever plate having a transverse slot or opening 16 for engagement by the tongue which is adjustable, and which by reason of the position of the abdominal belt 14. serves to apply rearward strain or pressure to the upper end of the lever plate 10, so as to tend to rock the lever plate upon the fulcrum or hearing plate as a fulcrum and thus throw the free pronged ends 17 of the forceps members forwardly, to the end that, when said prongs are engaged with the tissues, the rear wall of the vagina is dilated and smoothly spread and presented outwardly for ready access in the performance of the operation under conditions insuring accuracy and convenience to the operator without the assistance of an attendant. The fulcrum or bearing plate is adjustably mounted upon the lever plate to vary the position thereof longitudinally with reference to the lever plate and hence the terminals or prong bearing extremities of the members of the forceps, to suit the measurements of the patient and the location of the pubic bone, relatively, to the end that the dilation may be effected under conditions most favorable to the performance of the proposed operation. and in the construction illustrated the fulcrum or bearing plate. which is of arched or arcuate form to af ford a substantial bearing upon the pubic hone, carries a stem 18 operating in a longitudinal slot 19 in the lever plate and pro vided at the front surface of the plate with a button or head 20 which may be manipulated by the operator in. adiusting the bearing plate with relation to the lever plate.

The means for locking the handles of the forceps members in their adiusted position rack bar is provided with a finger hold 26 to permit of raising the same to disengage the pin 22 and thereby release and allow of the folding or closing movement of the members of the forceps.

The adjustment of the tongue 15 to vary the tilting pressure applied to the lever plate 10 may be effected by any suitable means such as a buckle 27 or the equivalent thereof, the extremities of the abdominal. belt being similarly adjustably connected by a buckle 28 or its equivalent.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. A surgical instrument for use in per forming perineal operations, the same comprising a lever member provided with an intermediate bearing element adapted to be seated upon the pubic bone, dilating forceps pivotally carried by one end of said lever member, an abdominal belt, a tongue carried by said belt andpassing through a slot in the end of the lever remote from that at which the forceps are. carried, and said tongue having means associated therewith for varying the active length of the tongue, whereby rearward pressure may be applied to the end of the lever member through which the tongue passes.

2. A surgical instrument for use in per forming perineal' operations, the same comprising a lever member provided with an intermediate bearing element adapted to be seated upon the pubic bone, dilating forceps carried at one end of said lever member, means for applying rearward pressure to the end of the lever member remote from that at which the forceps are carried, and means for locking the forceps members in their adjusted positions, said last named means consisting of a toothed bar pivoted to the handle of one of the forceps members, means carried by the handle of the other forcep member and adapted to be selectively engaged by the teeth of said bar; and a spring mounted on one of the handles and urging said bar into engagement with said means last named.

In testimony whereof I afliX-my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH L. STEVENS. WVitnesses I. L. PERKINS, W. P. HUGHES. 

